Securitas AB
A Swedish multinational security-services group providing guarding, monitoring, technology, investigations and risk-management solutions.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
Securitas AB is a Swedish multinational security-services group headquartered in Stockholm. The company traces its origin to 1934, when Erik Philip-Sörensen acquired a small guarding business in Helsingborg, Sweden. It initially expanded through acquisitions in the Swedish guarding market, later developing security technology, alarm monitoring and international operations. The group adopted the Securitas name in 1972, together with a three-red-dot emblem associated with the values of integrity, vigilance and helpfulness. Securitas provides a broad range of protective and risk-related services. Its traditional business is on-site guarding, including reception security, access control, patrols, event protection, fire watch and other site-specific assignments. Mobile guarding provides scheduled patrols and incident response for customers that do not require a permanent guard presence. Remote guarding combines cameras, sensors, command-center personnel and intervention teams, allowing suspicious activity to be assessed and escalated to customers, mobile officers or emergency services. The group also provides alarm monitoring, electronic security, video surveillance, access-control systems, fire and safety technology, cybersecurity-related services and integrated security programs. The company operates through regional businesses commonly organized around North America, Europe and Ibero-America, with additional operations in Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia. Most general security services use the Securitas brand. Switzerland is an important naming exception: Securitas AB operates there through Protectas AG because the separate Swiss company Securitas AG belongs to another corporate group. Securitas AB has also retained the Pinkerton name for investigations, corporate intelligence, executive protection, due diligence, background checks, brand and intellectual-property protection, cyber surveillance, computer forensics and government-cleared security work. Pinkerton has been part of the group since 1999. Securitas grew substantially through acquisitions and portfolio reorganizations. Its expansion included major American transactions involving Pinkerton, Burns Security and other regional businesses, while cash handling was ultimately separated into the independently listed Loomis business. The group also distributed Securitas Systems and Securitas Direct to shareholders in 2006; Securitas Direct later became Verisure in most markets. In 2022, Securitas completed the acquisition of Stanley Security Solutions from Stanley Black & Decker, adding substantial electronic-security and healthcare-security capabilities that were subsequently associated with Securitas Technology and Securitas Healthcare. Securitas is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm in the Large Cap segment. The group serves commercial, industrial, public-sector, infrastructure, healthcare, retail, transportation and residential-adjacent customers, combining people, technology and data-driven monitoring. Its current identity is therefore broader than conventional manned guarding: it presents itself as an integrated security partner spanning physical protection, electronic systems, remote operations, investigations and risk management. The group reported operations in 44 markets and more than 322,000 employees in 2025 according to the referenced Wikipedia material; exact current operating figures should be verified against the company’s latest annual report.
History
Securitas began in 1934 in Helsingborg as AB Hälsingborgs Nattvakt, after Erik Philip-Sörensen acquired a small guarding company. It changed its name to Förenade Svenska Vakt AB in 1935 and expanded through acquisitions, initially concentrating on southern Sweden. In 1949, the group established AB Securitas Alarm, creating a foundation for later alarm and security-technology activities. The company’s early technology development included the Securi-Coll automatic access-control system, introduced in 1961. It also developed payment technology for Swedish petrol stations, later adapting the system for cash withdrawals. On 7 May 1968, it launched an ATM connected to a banking system at Oxie Sparbank in Malmö, an early example of the group’s interest in technology alongside guarding. The group adopted the Securitas name in 1972. Its logo, composed of three red dots and the word Securitas, became a central visual identity; the dots are associated with integrity, vigilance and helpfulness. In 1976, Philip-Sörensen sold the group to his sons Jörgen and Sven. The business was divided between them in 1981: international operations developed into Group 4, while Swedish operations retained the Securitas brand. Securitas was sold to Skrinet in 1983 and acquired by Investment AB Latour, controlled by Gustaf Douglas, in 1985. Under the new ownership, the group refocused on security and began international expansion in 1989 through acquisitions in Norway, Denmark and Portugal, together with operations established in Hungary. It listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange in 1991. ASSA, acquired in 1988, was distributed to shareholders in 1994, while further acquisitions during the 1990s extended Securitas across Europe and into the United States. The purchase of Pinkerton in February 1999 and Burns Security and other U.S. businesses in 2000 transformed Securitas into one of the world’s largest security companies. In 2001, the company reorganized into five business areas based on service type and acquired Loomis Fargo & Company. U.S. security services were integrated under the Securitas brand in 2003, while cash handling became increasingly distinct from the group’s other activities. In 2006, Securitas distributed Securitas Systems and Securitas Direct to shareholders, and both businesses became separately listed. Securitas also created Mobile and Alert Services activities, later forming the Mobile and Monitoring segment. Securitas Direct was subsequently renamed Verisure in most countries, with Spain and Portugal retaining the Securitas Direct name. Loomis’s cash-handling business was also separated and listed in 2008, following the sale of U.K. cash operations in 2007. International growth continued through acquisitions including Reliance Security Group’s U.K. security-services operations in 2010 and Chubb Security Personnel in the United Kingdom in 2011. By 2012, Securitas was present in 53 countries and territories. In 2013, it acquired Pinkerton Government Services, adding cleared government-security capabilities that became known as Securitas Critical Infrastructure Services. The 2015 acquisition of Diebold’s North American Electronic Security business further expanded monitored and electronic-security capabilities. Securitas entered a new technology-oriented phase with its 2022 acquisition of Stanley Security Solutions from Stanley Black & Decker. The transaction included Stanley Healthcare, and the businesses were subsequently associated with Securitas Technology and Securitas Healthcare. Today, the group combines guarding, patrol, remote monitoring, electronic systems, investigations and risk-management services. Its Swiss operations use the Protectas name because a separate company called Securitas AG already operates in Switzerland under another ownership structure.
- 2022
Stanley Security acquired
[1]The acquisition added electronic-security and healthcare-security activities.
- 2015
Diebold electronic-security business acquired
[1]Securitas expanded its North American electronic-security operations through the Diebold transaction.
- 2013
Government-cleared security expanded
[1]The acquisition of Pinkerton Government Services added cleared services for government programs.
- 2008
Loomis listed separately
[1]The cash-handling division Loomis was distributed to shareholders and listed independently.
- 2006
Technology and direct-security divisions separated
[1]Securitas distributed Securitas Systems and Securitas Direct to shareholders as separately listed businesses.
- 1999
Pinkerton acquired
[1]Securitas acquired Pinkerton, adding a major investigations and corporate-risk brand.
- 1991
Listed in Stockholm
[1]Securitas was listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange.
- 1972
Securitas name adopted
[1]The group adopted the Securitas name and its three-dot identity.
- 1968
Bank-connected ATM launched
[1]The group launched an ATM connected to a banking system at Oxie Sparbank in Malmö.
- 1961
Securi-Coll introduced
[1]Securitas made an early technical advance with an automatic access-control system.
Products and positioning
An integrated global security partner combining professional guarding, mobile and remote operations, electronic security technology, investigations and risk-management expertise.
Physical security
On-site guarding
Securitas supplies security officers for fixed and customized assignments, including reception, access control, patrol, vehicle patrol, console operations, fire watch, safety auditing, emergency response and special-event security. These services are tailored to the risks and operating procedures of each customer site.
Patrol and response · 2006
Mobile guarding
Mobile guarding provides scheduled patrols for businesses that do not need a permanent on-site officer. The service can also include response to alarms and incidents between patrol visits, using mobile officers to investigate or stabilize security events.
Monitoring
Remote guarding
Remote guarding combines off-site personnel, cameras, sensors, communications and response teams. Operators can assess suspicious activity, communicate through site speakers, notify emergency services and dispatch mobile officers. Related services include remote escorting of employees to or from vehicles.
Electronic security · 2022
Securitas Technology
Securitas Technology provides integrated electronic-security systems such as locks, access control, fire sensors, cameras, monitoring software and related services. The offering grew materially through the acquisition of Stanley Security Solutions and the earlier purchase of Diebold’s North American Electronic Security business.
Healthcare security technology · 2022
Securitas Healthcare
Securitas Healthcare comprises healthcare-oriented security and safety technology activities acquired with Stanley Healthcare. The business supports healthcare facilities with systems and services designed around security, monitoring and operational protection.
Investigations and risk management · 1999
Pinkerton
Pinkerton provides investigations, due diligence, background checks, corporate intelligence, executive protection, brand and intellectual-property protection, cyber surveillance, computer forensics, social-compliance services and other risk-management work. It also supports government and infrastructure customers requiring cleared personnel.
Controversies
2022
Harvard labor-protest retaliation finding
Securitas suspended officer Walter J. Terzano after conduct connected with a contentious union negotiation and protest. The National Labor Relations Board found that the company unlawfully retaliated against him.
2022
Swedish employee misconduct allegations
A Swedish television documentary reported that two employees paid for sex during work trips and were suspected of bribing Malmö city employees. Securitas dismissed the employees.
2020
Killing of Cassie Heppner by contracted officer
American Securitas officer Robert Pavao was convicted of second-degree homicide in the killing of Timberland employee Cassie Heppner at Timberland’s New Hampshire headquarters. He received a 55-year prison sentence.
2010
Securitas Sweden prostitution case
The chief executive of Securitas Sweden was arrested for purchasing sexual services in Stockholm and was convicted in 2012. The company said it would work to end a misogynistic and sexist culture within the organization.
Marketing campaigns
- 2022Citizen on-demand private security trial
United States · Chicago
Securitas partnered with Citizen to test an on-demand private-security service in Chicago, exploring a technology-enabled model for requesting and deploying security personnel.
Outcome. Trial reported; broader outcome not established in the supplied sources.
Brand decisions
2022
Acquire Stanley Security SolutionsM&ABackground
Securitas aimed to expand its electronic-security and healthcare-security capabilities.
Action taken
It purchased Stanley Security Solutions, including Stanley Healthcare, from Stanley Black & Decker.
Aftermath
The acquired activities were associated with Securitas Technology and Securitas Healthcare.
2006
Separate technology and direct-security businessesStrategyBackground
Securitas reorganized its portfolio around more focused business activities.
Action taken
It distributed Securitas Systems and Securitas Direct to shareholders, with both businesses listed separately.
Aftermath
Securitas Direct later became Verisure in most markets, while Securitas concentrated on its remaining security-services platform.
1972
Rebrand as SecuritasStrategyBackground
The group sought a unified identity for its expanding security business.
Action taken
It adopted the Securitas name and three-dot logo.
Aftermath
The name became the principal international identity of the group’s general security-services operations.
Recent events
- 2022
Securitas trials Citizen on-demand private security service[1]
Campaign · Other
Securitas partnered with Citizen to test an on-demand private-security service in Chicago.
- 2022
Securitas completes Stanley Security acquisition[1]
M&A · Product launch
Securitas purchased Stanley Security Solutions, including Stanley Healthcare, from Stanley Black & Decker. The acquired activities were subsequently associated with Securitas Technology and Securitas Healthcare.
- 2015
Securitas buys Diebold’s North American Electronic Security business[1]
M&A
The purchase strengthened Securitas's electronic-security activities in North America, including monitored customer locations and serviced sites.
- 2013
Securitas acquires Pinkerton Government Services[1]
M&A
The acquisition added cleared security services for government agencies and programs requiring U.S. Department of Defense or Department of Energy security clearances.
- 2000
Securitas acquires Burns Security and other U.S. businesses[1]
M&A
The transaction expanded Securitas's position in the United States and contributed to its development as a major international security-services group.
- 1999
Securitas acquires Pinkerton[1]
M&A
The acquisition brought the historically significant American investigations and corporate-security business into the Securitas group.
Sources2 sources
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